Whether you're at a cottage, on a patio or your own backyard, May long weekend resonates with the start of summer and with so many great things to see and do, you don’t have to go far to enjoy yourself! Staycations get a bad reputation, and contrary to popular belief, there are a lot of perks you'll notice when staying home for the long weekend. There are so many hidden gems to discover in the area that it simply takes some digging around to find out the happenings in town. I've realized that staying close to home actually ends up creating my most exciting, relaxing and productive break yet without having to pack my bags or spend a lot.
This year my foodie partner-in-crime wasn't working a weekend (finally!) so we made the decision to stay local and take a foodie road trip to Prince Edward County on Saturday followed by Sharbot Lake, Ontario on Sunday. Remember people that Kingston is driving distance from some incredible places and day trips are easier to plan and execute while still giving you the escape from regular life that you so deserve and not spending a fortune.
To satisfy our hunger and quench our thirst, we had some refreshing lemonade and meatball sandwich from WooHoo Farms. For only $10, this was amazing and perfect for two.
The party was filled with a slew of great individuals supporting local foods and producers having a good time. From a family business to a full fledge successful operation, Michael McKenzie has certainly made a name for himself as he celebrates the essence of local goodness and the supportive community at their day event every May long weekend with talented chefs on site roasting up a few pigs and serving the masses.
After our foodie road trip came to an end, drinks on a downtown Kingston patio were had while enjoying the sunny weather and stunning views.
Remember: Be a tourist in your own city, so you can turn any staycation into a dream vacation. New experiences await, just around the corner!
This year my foodie partner-in-crime wasn't working a weekend (finally!) so we made the decision to stay local and take a foodie road trip to Prince Edward County on Saturday followed by Sharbot Lake, Ontario on Sunday. Remember people that Kingston is driving distance from some incredible places and day trips are easier to plan and execute while still giving you the escape from regular life that you so deserve and not spending a fortune.
First Stop: Vicki's Veggies Heirloom Tomato Seedling Sale & Festival
Our first stop included picking up tomato seedlings for our urban garden from Vicki's Veggies, an event which I found thanks to Facebook and so happy I did. The sale was set up festival style and boy was I impressed - it included some of my favourite Prince Edward County artisans and their products such as wood fired Pizza by Pizza Via, sweet treats by Pink Lunch Pail, honey from Honey Pie Hives & Herbals, sauerkraut from Pyramid Ferments and the list goes on. The afternoon was filled with amazing food and delights from artisans living the dream in PEC.To satisfy our hunger and quench our thirst, we had some refreshing lemonade and meatball sandwich from WooHoo Farms. For only $10, this was amazing and perfect for two.
Second Stop: The County Cider Company
Whilst driving around in the County on Saturday, we decided to stop by the County Cider Company to pick up our favourite bottles of peach and pear cider. Though a bit crowded as it was the long weekend, it was worth the long lines and wait.Third Stop: Seed to Sausage's Day of the Pig
The long weekend festivities continued on Sunday in Sharbot Lake, Ontario at Seed to Sausage's annual food festival dubbed Day of The Pig. Celebrating their fifth year, the party showcased hand-crafted artisan meats, roasted pork, local and area artisan cheese, local wines and oh so much more.The party was filled with a slew of great individuals supporting local foods and producers having a good time. From a family business to a full fledge successful operation, Michael McKenzie has certainly made a name for himself as he celebrates the essence of local goodness and the supportive community at their day event every May long weekend with talented chefs on site roasting up a few pigs and serving the masses.
After scouting out the different vendors and eateries to satisfy our empty bellies, my foodie partner-in-crime and I shared a tasty chicken shawarma made by the fabulous folks at Black Dog Hospitality which included Chef Eric from Le Chien Noir and Chef Paul from Dianne's Fish Shack & Smokehouse. With brews in hand thanks to Mackinnon Brothers and Kichesippi (you have to try their Radler!), we proceeded to the main attraction of the event - the pig roast.
Say hello to the finest piece of pork I have ever tasted! After chatting with Chef Derek Macgregor, formerly of Le Chien Noir Bistro, he mentioned that it was a brine mixture of molasses added to a blend of apple juice from concentrate that gave the roast its moist and sweet finishing taste.
Here's a tip I've found after attending quite q number of food related festivals - don't be afraid to share! My foodie partner-in-crime and I made a point to try everything for the most part by ordering one of each and simply sharing. Why limit yourself when you can sample it all - though we did miss out on The Grizzly Grills fried mozzarella burger though to make up for it we couldn't pass up a cheese plate by Back Forty Cheese Artisan.
After our foodie road trip came to an end, drinks on a downtown Kingston patio were had while enjoying the sunny weather and stunning views.
Remember: Be a tourist in your own city, so you can turn any staycation into a dream vacation. New experiences await, just around the corner!
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